Ukraine hopes renewables can curb dependence on Russian gas

US and European officials have been searching for ways to help Ukraine limit this dependence on Russian gas, including expediting US approvals of facilities to export liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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By BRIAN WINGFIELD

Bloomberg

Seeking to lessen its dependence on Russian natural gas,
Ukraine is trying to lure investment to boost its use of
renewable energy such as biomass, wind and solar power.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington today hosted US and
industry officials at a conference on the potential for
renewable energy in the eastern European nation.

I strongly believe the time has come for US investors
to discover Ukraine, especially its energy, said
Olexander Motsyk, Ukraines ambassador to the US.

Ukraine relies on Russian natural gas for heat and electric
power, a supply put at risk by Russias annexation of
Ukraines Crimea region last month. US and European officials have been
searching for ways to help Ukraine limit this dependence,
including expediting US approvals of facilities to export liquefied
natural gas (LNG).

One way to replace Russian gas is through home-grown
renewable energy production, according to Ukrainian
officials. Energy sources such as biomass, wind and solar
currently provide about 2% of Ukraines power-generating
capacity.

Motsyk said the US and 28-nation EU should consider strategic
partnerships to invest in the country, while acknowledging
the inherent risk, given the economic and security climate.

Road Show

The event is the start of a road show to
highlight Ukraines renewable-energy potential,
Volodymyr Shalkivski, the embassys first secretary for
energy issues, said in an interview. Future events would be
held at Ukraines consulates in Chicago, New York and
San Francisco, he said, without providing dates.

The resources are there, though a major challenge
is attracting capital, Todd Foley, senior vice president for
policy and government relations at
the American Council on Renewable Energy, said at the
conference. The Washington-based nonprofit group co-hosted
the event, along with the Energy Industry Research Center, a
Kiev-based consultancy.

According to the research center, biomass and biogas are the
most promising forms of renewable energy for Ukraine, in part
because the nations network of electric-power lines and
substations cant easily adjust to the addition of
significant amounts of wind and solar energy.

Research Center

Biomass may help replace natural gas used in the
nations 24,000 boiler plants, officials from the Energy
Industry Research Center said.

Vadym Glamazdin, the centers managing director, said
Ukraine is seeking strategic partnerships with U.S.
businesses, though it hasnt identified potential
companies. Babcock & Wilcox of Charlotte, North Carolina,
and closely held Hurst Boiler & Welding of Coolidge,
Georgia, are among companies that make boilers.

Glamazdin said Ukraines heating supply accounts for
about 40% of all gas imported from Russia, which could be
replaced with renewable energy within three to five years.

By 2030, renewables could account for about 15% of
Ukraines electricity supply with adequate investment,
he said.

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